1000th Last Post Ceremony Today

1000th Last Post Ceremony Tonight

Our neighbours at the Pukeahu National War Memorial, will hold the 1000th Last Post ceremony today, at 5pm, Thursday 18 January 2018. To mark this occasion, the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating and Minister of Defence Hon Ron Mark will read the Odes of Remembrance.

The stories of five servicemen — Rifleman Horatio Beechey, Private Ernest Cook, Private Ernest Sharman, Captain Charles Ward and Rifleman Harold Winwood — who died on this day 100 years ago, will also be read.

Many dignitaries will be attending, including:

Hon Grant Roberston, Associate Minister for Arts, Culture & Heritage

Hon Ron Mark, Minister of Defence

David Ledson, Chair, National War Memorial Advisory Council

Jack Steer, Chief Executive, Returned and Services Association

Paul James, Chief Executive, Manatu Taonga

Brodie Stubbs, Manager, Memorials & Taonga

Paul Riley, Curator, National War Memorial

Last Post ceremonies are held each evening in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The public are usually invited to participate in the Last Post ceremony by reading the Ode of Remembrance or playing the bugle. The service includes lowering the two New Zealand flags, playing the Last Post, the observation of one minute’s silence and the Ode of Remembrance in Māori and English.